Tag: future

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – The Pause Button

There is yet another viral epedemic flooding our country called “The Mannequin Challenge” Its all in the name of fun for it participants as they maintain a frozen position while someone is recording the play to some theme appropriate music. Those that I have seen on multiple social media platforms are really creative and have made me truly smile. I think this challenge is a breath of fresh air during such a time of change and uncertainty for our society.

I have been asked recently to participate in the challenge but I kindly turned down the offer. I feel I am already in one spiritually; as if the pause button to my life has been pressed and I’m stuck and going no where fast. I’ve experienced physical and soul realm fatigue after doing all that I can naturally. There are about six weeks remaining in this year and I have to make some life altering decisions in preparation for 2017. Do I remain on this path that magnifies my gift or do I return to the hustle and grind of the corporate life in order to survive. I won’t have the time to do both with consistency so one will have to be abandoned indefinitely…

Either way I’m on pause in a “mannequin” like position. Extremely frustrated because growth, results and moving forward produces drive, energy and a sense of accomplishment in me. I feel I am at my emotional best when I’m forging ahead.

This interruption of sorts contradicts what I’ve been speaking and sharing lately and I’m concerned for the outcome. God are you there? Have you heard my cries? Will you deactivate this motionless standstill in my life for I’m beginning to question my value and worth yet again. I thought I was past this part of simply existing, but here I am again.

Have you ever felt this way or are you here today with me? As believers we sometimes hit these life patches that appear like life is just standing still and we are frozen in a state that’s not our choice. If that’s you, let’s remain encouraged, someway and somehow that our Lord, our God is so completely busy in action on our behalf. He’s behind the sight of what we can see producing the fruit of our labor. He’s already said what He will do so no need for Him to repeat what was already spoken. 

Being anxious profits nothing.

Doubting is the contrary of Faith.

Forcing efforts that interrupt the work of His hands will cause further delays and confusion.

So we stand, on pause and patiently wait on the Lord.

Until next time, happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – REVEAL, DEAL, HEAL

This message is not unique by far. It’s been told, preached and written about a million times over. Yet I feel compelled to reiterate today because many of us need to be reminded. The enemy likes snatching the Word from our spirits the instant it is uttered to keep us entrapped in bondage.

The only way to heal from a thing is to reveal it then deal with it! There is no other way! All else is simply avoidance and the rehearsed act of suppression. We may be able to keep symptoms of that pain at bay for a time; but it’s toxicity will spill out into the blood streams of our spirits in very nasty and unexpected ways. This leak ruins relationships, makes us ugly, robs us of blessings and stuns our growth.

REVEAL means to face that thing that you don’t want to talk about. When you do, the memories of it all haunts your soul and brings about tears, fears and more. But once it’s exposed in a healthy way through fellowship and wise counsel it’s power over your life will begin to decrease immediately!

DEAL means that you finally get the courage to fight for your future and your life by declaring and decreeing that there is something greater in you and for you! Therefore you take a stand that this thing will die and die today!

HEAL means that you begin to shed off those layers of hurt, pain, shame and blame and begin to LIVE!! That thing, however it’s defined for you, is a coward and a thief! If you want it to be over, a simple decision needs to be made by only you! Taking back your authority is what you must do to move forward!

REVEAL, DEAL and HEAL is the formula necessary to embrace your destiny and to stop looking back on matters, people and circumstances that you can’t change. They are only mere facts in your life but don’t need to define you indefinitely! Leave them in your past and put your foot down. Get into your rightful position in Christ Jesus and get all that He has for you in THIS life time! Do it while you still have time, still have breath, still have people who look up to you, still have His Grace and Mercy….Answer me this; Aren’t you worth it?

Until next time, happy Sunday!

Soulful Sunday

Soulful Sunday – Quote Shares

This Sunday, I thought I would simply just share some quotes that inspire me. Some place me out of my comfort zone! They are Heaven sent reminders,  bold declarations, character challengers and true reflection statements. All aim to keep one focused and centered.

Hope they bless you today and let me know which one is your favorite! 

Blessings!

Soulful Sunday, Wisdom

Soulful Sunday – Pastor Dorothy L. Bell


Have you ever asked yourself what could possibly be holding you back from reaching your fullest potential in life? Seems like no matter your countless efforts, favor consistently evades you?

Consider taking your eye off of external factors for a moment and do a self-inventory; NOW!
My Women of Wisdom author this month is Pastor Dorothy L Bell. She penned a concise and impactful book entitled “Arise…Unpack….Live “Now”!

This read comes at such an appropriate time in my life personally. As I effortlessly strive towards the destiny that my God has shown me, the principles laid out in this book cannot be avoided along my journey.

As a representative of Christ I must rid myself as much as possible of things that are not of him. So here we go!

The instructions commissioned in these pages are bold, just the way I like it! Not for the thin-skinned by far! You want to be successful in your God-given talents and gifts, then consider this as I have!

Arise – Recognize, take heed, and commence to owning up to your stuff! You guilt your shame your past, your blames. Your greed and especially your selfish needs. 

Unpack – Those matters that really hold you back and stop carrying them around like some precious treasure! They are not resourceful and certainly not God’s best for your life! You can’t move forward effectively until you throw these things out of the luggage of your soul!

Live – The first two can be the most difficult parts but once they are REALLY dealt with through the Word of God, Counseling and regular inventory to assure you are won’t Re-pack what you unloaded, NOW it’s time to go forth!!

I can’t give away all the detailed nuggets of this book. The above is just a synopsis of what I got out of it. Just good Godly wise wisdom! You have to get your own copy to fully understand. It can be read in less than a couple of days and will be life changing!

Pastor Dorothy L. Bell
 Pastor Dorothy L. Bell is the CEO and founder of Woman2WomanMinistries and has been serving the Lord diligently for the past 32 years. To order your copy of Arise…Unpack…Live… “Now” contact her directly by e-mail at womantwowoman@comcast.net or on her FaceBook page @Woman2Woman. Don’t forget to visit her website for more inspiration at http://www.womantwowoman.com.

Happy Sunday!

Wisdom

Women of Wisdom – Ms. Antoinette Johnson





Age in no way defines who I am. The hair may be thinner, the neck not as tight as it used to be but there is a joy of accepting myself for the woman God has purposed me to be.  I continue to be thankful for the blessings and the trials of over 68 years of life!

 
As we grow older, we should begin to focus not only on the now but instead the focus is on being Heaven bound.  This world is not our final home.  If we know Christ, we know we have “an inheritance that will never perish, spoil or fade –kept in heaven for you”. (1Peter 1:4).

 
Remember to never diminish God’s purpose for your life.

 

Time management is important as we reach our senior years. Remember to – slow down, breathe and reflect on life.  Ephesians 5:15-17, “15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil. 17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

 

Ecclesiastes 3:8
 
Agree to projects based on your priorities and desire to do God’s will in your life.

 
Take time to smell the flowers.  Dance!! Embrace the life God has given you here on this earth.

 


Encourage the younger women

 
Titus 2:3 Older women1 likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled.

 
1 Thessalonians 2:8

 

The older women must take responsibility for teaching younger women, or it probably won’t happen. Many younger women don’t respect older women and what they have to offer. While many older women are self-absorbed and lack interest in women outside their family and church circle. There is much Godly wisdom and knowledge that can be shared between the two generations.  It should be a reversed mentoring opportunity.  An excellent example of reverse mentoring in the bible is found in the story of Ruth and Naomi.


 


Deeper Appreciate of taking care of the Mind, Body and Soul

 

I find that it is a priority now to care for my physical and mental health.  By way of nature, the body begins to deteriorate in some areas (e.g. Bones). It becomes important to stay in good physical shape in order to keep the heart beating, the mind sharp and the bones and muscles strong.
1Cor 6:19-20 tells us our bodies are a temple that should be available to serve God.

 

Thank you, God that I am fearfully and wonderfully made Psalm 139:14 – even as I age – thank you that you continue to watch over me.
 

 


Don’t allow past mistakes or people to hold you hostage

 

Face those past mistakes in your life and be honest…confront the issues….ask for forgiveness but then ..move ON!

 
It’s time to reverse your mentality and look at your mistakes, and failures from a positive perspective.  What didn’t kill you made you stronger by the grace of God!

 

Luke 8:39

 
Philippians 3:13 “Brothers and sister, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.
  



Lastly, focus on how you want to be remembered.  Can you imagine if you had to write your own obituary…wow! What would it say?

 

 

 

Self Empowerment, Spiritual Awareness

Women of Wisdom – Pastor Barbara Blackston 

This word is for the body of Christ in particular. One day while I was in prayer I asked the Lord what else can we as believers do to help this world besides praying. Prayer is good and does have the power to change things, but I was asking specifics on what more is possible. I heard the Spirit of the Lord Say, “Occupy Until I come.”
 
After hearing this I began to search the Word of God and found Luke 19:11-13 which is a parable or story that Jesus told. It speaks of a nobleman who needed to leave his  servants for a time to establish a kingdom. Before leaving, this man called 10 of his servants, gave them ten minas (one for each of them equivalent to one hundred days of wages) and said “Do business or Occupy until I return.”

Photo Credit – cracked-pot.com

Although this portion of scripture relates to money and the Lord expecting his people to do business until he comes back, He showed me that the interpretation surpasses even that. God is reminding His people to take what I have given you and rule, dominate, and seize until I come again. 
 
Before the Lord left us, He supplied His people with 3 very specific tools for use by every believer in our obedience towards doing his business.
 
1) The Holy Spirit –
The Holy Spirit is to be used in witness and effective ministry amongst the body of Christ and towards those who don’t know Him. We use the Holy Spirit to edify, uplift and encourage others as well as to build up ourselves so that we ourselves can remain strong.

2) The Fruits of theSpirit – 
He left us with the fruits of the Spirit which are Love, Patience, Faithfulness, Kindness, Goodness, Gentleness, Joy, Self-Control and Peace. We need to operate in them all to attend to the body of Christ and those who don’t yet belong. It’s our duty to continually show love and compassion because of  the evil and concerns of this world. We must remind and get others to see that God came that we may have an abundant life! (John 10:10).


 
3) The Anointing –
He gave us the anointing that is useful in breaking every yoke of bondage that people suffer from. We are called to tear down strongholds and things that the world feels that they can’t control or matters that are controlling them. The anointing is also effective in breaking these same matters that try to bind us as well.


 

In order to assure that we who believe remain focused on this instruction, we need to develop a consistent and purposed routine to get before the Lord. A daily fellowship with Him is necessary. Preferably early in the morning if possible. Start off by first giving him thanks for allowing us to see another day. Read daily devotions and speak aloud affirmations. This process is preparation for the day which sets the precedence for what lies ahead. 

Ask God To show you what to do and how you can be used to bless other people. Don’t go out  naked before the world and let the enemy wreak havoc over your life.
 
Represent the Savior, don’t be moved, overwhelmed, and don’t compromise. This is certainly how we must occupy until his return.


Pastor Barbara Blackston has been a Believer of the Gospel of Jesus Christ for nearly 40 years.
She attends Victory Christian Fellowship in New Castle Delaware and has been a member for the past 3 years.  
http://www.victoryexperience.com/
She serves as a Prayer Minister and Street Witnessing Evangalist.
She is also active in the Daughter’s of Esther Ministry under the leadership of Pastor Mary Cooper.
http://daughtersofesther.org

Finally she serves in the Women of Wisdom ministry though intercessory prayer.